Opening 2016!

This year is a big year for the Sawlaws, this is our first year with our lake home.  This has been a dream of mine for a long time.  I have been headed to Northwestern WI for a long time to visit my Grandparents, and last fall Mandi and I took the plunge deciding to purchase what we envision being our retirement home very nearby.  

This past weekend my friends Steven, Mark, Tim and myself packed up the cars, and at a brisk 4:00am we hit the road, electing for the scenic route north.  Take a look!

First stop was in Dickeyville WI, at the Grotto.  This is a very... um... unique shrine to our Lord and Saviour.  It was just a little past dawn when we snapped a selfie with this statue of Jesus.  It was a great start.

Here's another selfie at Kathy's Cafe in Lancaster WI.  I'm on the far left, and moving clockwise we have Mark, Steven and Tim again.  The breakfast was good, the donuts from the adjoining bakery were some of the best the boys had ever had (I didn't partake).

Its a bit tough to see, but our table included a view of the historic Lancaster Courthouse.

Tim is not amused at my RoadWarrior ways.

Arrival!  My caretaker Scott was there to meet us. He ran me through the paces of opening up.  Its going to take a few years to get the hang of it.  I really, really hope Scott doesn't retire.  The guy is second to none.  The lake was gorgeous :D

One of the purposes of the trip up was to get the new sofa and loveseat unpacked.  I think they fill the space nicely.  Thoughts?

There was ample time for R&R as well.  This picture was snapped with the express purpose of making my friend Alissa jealous.  Worked 100%.  New Glarus beer for those who don't know can only be bought in WI.  Its a summer time treat for me, had a little early this year... early in the year I mean. Not early in the day.  It was after 12:00PM when I had this beer.  I think.

The boys and I went to the Long Branch in Minong.  Definitely worth the stop.  The BBQ is solid, beers are cold, and the staff friendly.  During the summer you can grab dessert at the Scoop Next door.

All good things come to a close.  On the way home we stopped at the Dino Depot in the Dells.  I will always think of this place as a Sinclair station.  Sinclair holds a special spot in my heart.  My now departed Grandfather worked there when he was young, and always had Sinclair memorabilia around his office.  The big green Brontosaurus (its a thing again, look it up) makes me smile.  Steven was amazed by the size and power of it all.

Our last stop was Buffalo Phil's.  This Western themed restaurant has gone down a hill a bit in the past few years.  Food was okay, but the scenery was fun.  And you can't beat a place where the food arrives by train.  Steven managed to snap a picture with a hobo.

Overall it was a good trip.  I missed my wife and children dearly, and look forward to heading North with them soon.